Cog

Description

Physical Description

Cog embodies the image of a master craftsman with hands perpetually stained from metalwork and small tools always within reach. He wears practical clothing suited for both delicate mechanical work and urban adventuring. His guild artisan background shows in his precise movements and the way he examines mechanical objects with professional interest.

Build: Compact and efficient, typical gnome proportions Hands: Stained from metalwork, always carrying small tools Style: Practical clothing suitable for craftswork and adventure Notable Items: Purple hat and pipe from Old Xoblob (distinctive appearance)

Personality Profile

Personality Traits

• I’m always taken aback when people haven’t heard of me
• I’m full of witty aphorisms and have a proverb for every occasion

Ideals

• Aspiration: I work hard to be the best there is at my craft

Bonds

• The workshop where I learned my trade is the most important place in the world to me

Flaws

• I’m horribly jealous of anyone who can outshine my handiwork. Everywhere I go, I’m surrounded by rivals

Complete Backstory

Workshop Origins

Cogwright “Cog” Brassbeard grew up in the Trades Ward of Waterdeep, where the constant sound of hammering, grinding, and tinkering became his lullaby. His parents ran a small clockwork repair shop, but Cog had bigger dreams.

Master Apprenticeship

He apprenticed under Master Cogwright Brassbeard (his namesake and distant relative), the finest tinker in the guild and creator of the automated street lamps in the Noble District. Under Master Brassbeard’s tutelage, Cog learned not just to repair mechanisms, but to understand their deepest secrets.

The Workshop Sanctuary

The workshop - “Precision & Progress” on Copper Street - became his sanctuary. Every tool had its place, every blueprint was perfectly organized, and every completed project was a work of art. Master Brassbeard’s philosophy: “A gnome’s work should outlast empires.”

The Mysterious Artist

Everything changed when someone broke into the workshop - not to steal, but to examine Master Brassbeard’s secret lock designs. The intruder left only tiny scratches that told Cog a story: this person was an artist with lockpicks. Intrigued rather than angry, Cog began studying the techniques of this mysterious “artist.”

Dual Purpose

Rather than stop his nocturnal studies when Master Brassbeard discovered them, Cog chose to use his unique skills to protect Waterdeep’s mechanical marvels. He now walks the line between legitimate guild work and unofficial city protection.

Campaign Relationships

Strong Allies

• The Party: United through shared adventures and combat success
• Master Brassbeard: Mentor and namesake at “Precision & Progress” workshop
• Durnan: Positive relationship from Yawning Portal troll combat

Guild Connections

• Tinker’s Guild: Member in good standing with professional obligations
• City Lamp Maintenance: Specialist role requiring expertise
• Steam & Steel: Recipients of Embric’s smithing tools gift

Antagonistic

• Zhentarim: Personal vendetta over poor lamp maintenance standards
• City Watch: Suspicious of his automaton trinket

Professional Rivals

• Penny Quickfingers: Fellow apprentice whose self-winding watch invention drove Cog to competitive extremes

Key Campaign Items & Discoveries

• Purple Hat: Distinctive headwear from Old Xoblob, now signature appearance
• Purple Pipe: Blows purple bubbles, also from Old Xoblob
• Basic Smithing Tools: Gift from Embric and Avi at Steam & Steel
• Tinker’s Tools: Professional-grade equipment for mechanical work
• Broken Dagger: Result of overconfidence in Session 3 (learning experience)

Notable Campaign Moments

Session 1 - Introduction and Vendetta

• Developed personal grudge against Zhentarim over broken street lamps
• Purchased distinctive purple accessories from Old Xoblob
• Effective sneak attack coordination with Null at hideout stairs
• Professional interest in mechanical aspects of hideout

Session 2 - Combat Dominance

• Critical dagger throw eliminated gazer instantly
• One-shot kill on goblin in Q2A with sneak attack
• Successful nat 20 lockpicking to free imprisoned party
• Combat MVP status through multiple encounters

Session 3 - Overconfidence Lesson

• Attempted to recreate throwing heroics with “Watch this! Just like last time!”
• Dagger missed invisible target, struck wall, snapped in half
• Important learning moment about overconfidence
• Continued mechanical expertise in exploration

Session 4 - Guild Business

• Called away on lamp maintenance crisis requiring expertise
• Absence highlights importance of guild obligations
• Received smithing tools gift showing professional recognition

Session 5 - City Lighting Crisis

• Expertise finally required for city-wide lighting problem
• Professional obligations take priority over adventure
• Demonstrates growing reputation in guild circles

Combat Capabilities

• Precision Strikes: Sneak attack with devastating accuracy (when not overconfident)
• Mechanical Expertise: Understanding and disabling traps and mechanisms
• Thrown Weapons: Usually excellent, but learned humility in Session 3
• Tactical Positioning: Works well with party for sneak attack opportunities
• Guild Knowledge: Understanding of mechanical defenses and urban infrastructure

Character Development Arc

Started as competitive guild artisan seeking recognition. Through campaign has evolved into:

• Combat Expert: Proven effectiveness in dangerous situations
• Humble Craftsman: Learning that overconfidence can break daggers
• Team Player: Coordinating with party for tactical advantages
• City Protector: Using skills to defend Waterdeep’s infrastructure
• Professional Asset: Guild expertise increasingly valuable

Current Status

• Level 2 Rogue with proven combat and technical skills
• Tinker’s Guild Member with growing professional obligations
• Trollskull Manor Co-owner contributing technical expertise
• Combat MVP with track record of crucial eliminations
• Lamp Maintenance Specialist addressing city-wide infrastructure crisis

Key Ongoing Threads

• Guild Obligations: Growing importance requiring extended absences
• Lamp Maintenance Vendetta: Personal mission against poor infrastructure
• Workshop Legacy: Continuing Master Brassbeard’s tradition of excellence
• Mechanical Mysteries: Interest in complex devices and traps
• Professional Recognition: Building reputation beyond competitive drives
• City Protection: Using skills to defend Waterdeep’s mechanical systems

Notable Skills & Expertise

• Lock Picking: Master-level expertise (nat 20 performances)
• Trap Detection/Disarmament: Professional understanding of mechanical threats
• Precision Manufacturing: Creating clockwork devices and mechanical art
• Urban Infrastructure: Deep knowledge of city’s mechanical systems
• Thrown Weapons: Usually excellent accuracy (learning humility)

Character Quirks & Patterns

• Competitive Nature: Driven to outperform rivals and prove superiority
• Professional Pride: Deep attachment to workshop and guild traditions
• Precision Focus: Mechanical solutions preferred over improvisation
• Learning Humility: Session 3 broken dagger taught important lesson
• Guild Loyalty: Professional obligations sometimes override adventure
• Mechanical Detective: Reads stories in worn gears and scratched metal

Goals & Motivations

• Prove Excellence: Become finest tinker in Waterdeep
• Protect Infrastructure: Use skills to defend city’s mechanical marvels
• Honor Tradition: Continue Master Brassbeard’s legacy of quality
• Find the Artist: Secret hope to meet mysterious lock-picking artist again
• Guild Recognition: Earn respect through competence and innovation